Air deflector for vehicles

Abstract

An air deflector for vehicles to reduce wind resistance while moving. Two flat panels are provided hinged to upright posts, preferably mounted on the bumper of a vehicle. The panels are collapsable or retractable. In one position they are swung outwardly into a v-shaped configuration with the apex at the front. In retracted position they are folded back in a position parallel to each other adapted for parking or storage. Guide means are provided on the back side of the panels to facilitate their being deployed outwardly. The outer edges of the panels are mounted on rotatable posts having sprockets on them and a sprocket chain mechanism is provided with connections to the interior of the automobile so that the panels can be deployed outwardly or retracted from within the vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A drag reducing apparatus for use with vehicles comprising in combination, deflector means including panels constructed to be positioned to form a v-shaped wind deflector extending forwardly of the vehicle, said panels being constructed to be collapsible into a parallel position with one panel forwardly of the other, means mounting the panels to be extendable forwardly of the vehicle including vertical mounting posts and operating means for the panels operable from within the vehicle including linkage mechanism connected to the panels whereby the panels may be retracted into a collapsed position from within the vehicle, the panels in the collapsed position being in a substantially flat parallel partly overlapping relationship, guide means on the inside of each of the panels, the guide means on the panels being constructed whereby the panels can be rotated outwardly simultaneously into a v-shaped configuration in fully extended position. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as in claim 1 including means for rotating the panels about the mounting posts for deploying the panels to a forward extended position and for retracting the panels to a rearward position. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said last means includes sprocket wheels carried by said supporting posts, and flexible means including a sprocket chain cooperable with said sprocket wheels and extending into the automobile, and means within the vehicle for operating said flexible means whereby to move said panel members between extended and retracted positions. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said sprocket wheels include a sprocket wheel on each of said posts and a third sprocket wheel with the said sprocket chain arranged whereby operation of the means for rotating causes the panels to rotate in opposite directions about the said posts. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus as in claim 3 including guide means provided on the inside of the panels and interconnected whereby the panels are constrained to a v-shaped configuration while being deployed to extended position and while being retracted to inward position. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said guide means include brackets on the inside of one of the panels, guide rods extending through the brackets, and guide sleeves carried by the other panel through which the guide rods extend, the guide sleeves having mountings allowing them to swivel when the panels move relatively. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus as in claim 6 including latch means for latching the panels in deployed position and control means extending to the interior of the vehicle, for operating the latch means.